Foreside Common Landscape Master Plan - Spring 2017

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landscape master plan FALMOUTH, MAINE

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe The Conway School Spring 2017

Increase solar exposure and air circulation

by identifying which mature pine trees and other vegetation should be removed and replaced with alternative vegetation.

Block unwanted views

by designing plant screens along the property’s perimeter to provide privacy from neighboring homes and Route 1 as well as using plants to hide views of the utility boxes.

Provide year-round interest and a cohesive theme across the site

by selecting regionally appropriate plants with a variety of colors and bloom times that also provide winter interest.

Address erosion on slopes

by stabilizing soil and infiltrating runoff from roofs and other impervious surfaces on site, as close to the source as possible.

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F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

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This Foreside Common Landscape Master Plan gives recommendations to:

spring 2017

In addition to a comprehensive site analysis, this master plan offers guidance to the Landscape Committee, homeowners, and maintenance crews on landscape design, plant materials, best management practices, and understanding the ecology of the site. Designs and recommendations suggest a phased implementation plan with projected costs.

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The 62 condo units in this 31-acre community are clustered into 15 groupings. Common spaces include tennis courts, an outdoor pool, a clubhouse, and walking trails to the Presumpscot River Estuary to the west. The community was built in the early 1980s and the original vegetation has become overgrown.

The committee would like to improve access to winter sun, stabilize erosion, and address overgrown vegetation that is reducing air circulation and causing damage to buildings.

Falmouth, Maine

ANALYSES 6. erosion 7. drainage & soil 8. shoreland zone & wetland 9. winter shade & snow storage 10. summary analysis

DESIGNS & RECOMMENDATIONS 11. erosion management 12. stormwater infiltration 13. privacy screen & lawn alternatives 14. management of current plants 15. existing conditions- front 16. entrance & clubhouse design 17. design details 18. planting plan - entrance 19. planting plan - clubhouse 20. plant precedents 21. plant palette I 22. plant palette II 23. plant palette III 24. cost estimates & implementation 25. maintenance 26. references

In 2017 the Foreside Common Landscape Committee, a group of residents concerned with the current and future landscape of the Foreside Common condo community, hired a student team from the Conway School to develop a master plan for the site. The Committee is interested in sustainable alternatives to the existing landscape design, materials, and management.

I ntroduction & G oals

CONTEXT 1. introduction & goals 2. geographic context 3. existing conditions 4. ecology 5. climate change

INTRODUCTION & GOALS

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INDEX

Although Foreside Common is directly adjacent to Route 1 and only 3.5 miles north of Portland, the property feels private and close to nature. Residents report that these qualities make Foreside Common a very desirable place to live.

Salt marsh Presumpscot River Estuary

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Trails

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Audubon

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Structures and paved surfaces at Foreside Common are concentrated on the southern portion of the property. Two small trails offer residents opportunity to interact with the oakpine woodland, a natural community native to the Maine coast, and observe the estuary ecosystem. Inlets from the Presumpscot estuary intersect the property to the south and north. The northern third of the property consists of salt marsh and floodplain forest.

Foreside shares its northwestern border with the Maine Audubon Society headquarters, which has numerous trails throughout its property.

Falmouth, Maine

A band of barrier islands to the east shelters the peninsula from large waves, but strong winds still cause blow downs and falling limbs. Storm inundation and rising sea levels also threaten the peninsula.

G eographic C ontext

Casco Bay

The property sits on a peninsula with the Presumpscot River Estuary to the west and Casco Bay to the east. The Presumpscot River is the largest freshwater input into the bay, flowing 25 miles from its source. Its watershed covers 648 square miles. In 1990 the EPA designated Casco Bay as an “estuary of national significance,” initiating efforts to improve water quality in the Presumpscot and Casco Bay.

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Presumpscot River Estuary

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Foreside Common sits adjacent to a sensitive ecosystem, with opportunities to experience woodlands and salt marsh habitat, and the convenience of easy access to Portland.

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Foreside Common is a 31-acre condominium community located in Falmouth, Maine, 3.5 miles north of downtown Portland.

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

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Mixed hardwoods

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Falmouth, Maine

A small two-person crew is responsible for maintaining the commonly owned grounds. This includes mowing, general clean up, pruning, mulching, plant removal and replacing, and watering (by hand). Individual yards and gardens are maintained by residents.

Walking trail

Pool & clubhouse A couple of benches provide respite for residents on walks around the property.

Overgrown shrubs near the pool enclose the space.

A wooded trail connects the residential spaces to the wetland estuary.

The front entrance to Foreside Common provides privacy.

mixed hardwoods white pines wetlands roads + driveways estuary

E xisting C onditions

Prescumpscot River estuary

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

The original landscape design was intended to provide privacy from nearby homes and from Route 1, but privacy screens, largely consisting of white pine, have become overgrown and are no longer serving their intended function largely because they have been limbed up. Rather than blocking views to the properties, they are primarily blocking sunlight.

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Within the residential areas, units are surrounded by a mix of mowed lawn and traditional foundation plantings of shrubs, including forsythia, rhododendron, yew, and arborvitae. Mature white pines line the property along the southern and eastern perimeters, reaching upwards of 75 feet in height in many places. Stands of white pine also exist within the property. The club house area includes a pool and two tennis courts. Two trails connect the residences to the wetlands and estuary.

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

EXISTING CONDITIONS

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These wetlands also protect water quality by trapping and retaining excess nutrients and other pollutants such as heavy metals, effectively filtering runoff as it enters the estuary. Salt marshes trap sediment from tidal waters, which allows them to grow in elevation as sea levels rise. They provide flood buffering and mitigation services as well as shoreline stabilization. One square mile of salt marsh stores the carbon equivalent of 76,000 gallons of gas annually (noaa.gov).

Salt marshes are recognized in Maine as wetlands of special significance.

Beyond providing cover, habitat and nesting sites to numerous bird species, they also produce pine nuts, which provide energy rich forage through winter for both mammals and birds. Pines also support over 200 species of moth and butterfly larvae, some of which rely on pines solely for their food source ( Dark & Tallamy, 2014). An average 12� diameter pine tree will intercept 1,258 gallons of stormwater a year and sequester 238 lbs of carbon from the atmosphere (treebenefits.com). Additionally these pines are critical to the human landscape providing shade and wind protection.

These factors are important to consider as removing pines to resolve the current problems they pose will mean a loss of these functions, at least temporarily. They can be replaced with species selected to serve similar functions.

Ecosystem services of woodlands include climate regulation through carbon sequestration as well as locally buffering winds and regulating temperatures. Woodlands also provide nutrient cycling, and they build and protect soils. They filter the air we breathe, improving its quality, and they provide beauty and recreational opportunities.

Woodlands are also habitat to vast numbers of wildlife.

This particular woodland community type is host to a number of species of rare Lepidopteran butterfly species which feed on oaks, including the barrens chaetaglaea, barrens xylotype, similar underwing, the oblique zale, and red-winged sallow (Gawler, S., A. Cutko. 2010).

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee for the

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Falmouth, Maine

The oak-pine woodland on the property consists of a dominant red oak (Quercus rubra) canopy with eastern white pine, red maple, and white birch interspersed. The shrub and herb layer consists of low bush blueberry, bracken fern, and Canada mayflower.

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Eastern white pines (Pinus strobus) dominate the built landscape at Foreside, totaling close to 2.5 acres, and approximately 1,000 trees. While the species diversity of these stands is not as diverse as that of a naturally occurring ecosystem, eastern white pines are native to the Maine landscape and provide a number of ecosystem functions.

E cology

Salt marshes constitute roughly two and a half acres of the northern portion of the property, and border Foreside to the west. These wetlands are ecological powerhouses that support a variety of species via a rich food web. Providing habitat for sea worms, snails, clams and mussels, and mammals such as minks and raccoons, these ecologies contribute significantly to the habitat of Maine’s coast. Salt marshes also provide forage and shelter to numerous migratory shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl, including rare and endangered species. (Bryan & Cherry, 2006)

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

The oak-pine woodland helps sequester carbon, regulate temperature, and buffer the community from strong winds.

Wetlands provide important habitat for animal and plant species and buffer from floods.

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

ECOLOGY

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Adapted from: Gulf of Maine Research Institute

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Falmouth, Maine

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Perhaps most pertinent to Foreside Common are the issues of sea level rise and an increase in precipitation. As sea levels rise, coastal landscapes such as salt marshes and other flood buffers are lost, and flood zones move inland.

Additionally, rising sea levels, increased precipitation, and extreme storm events will likely mean an increase of inland flooding. This can lead not only to property damage and increased costs for the maintenance of structures and infrastructure, but also to an increase in coastal erosion. As Foreside Common is located directly south of the outlet of the Presumpscot River, it is particularly vulnerable to inundation.

Strategies for adaptation and mitigation include stabilizing the steep slopes and infiltrating as much stormwater on site as possible, diverting it from further eroding the slopes.

C limate C hange

Warmer temperatures in the region are caused by the combination of 25 rivers draining a quarter-trillion gallons of fresh, nutrient-laden water into the gulf each year, further fertilizing the sea. But the cold climate prevents nutrientrich bottom water from being trapped under a thick layer of warmer, lighter surface water, as happens in warmer climates, consequently raising the overall temperature. The region’s high tides also play a factor in this churn.

The US Geological Survey predicts that a Category 4 hurricane could threaten 48 of the 62 units in Foreside Common. With climate change, the likelihood of such storm events occurring is increasing. After heavy inundation, erosion becomes a concern as well, with both heavy rain and receding tides washing away the slopes that buffer the property.

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Climate change is already having an impact on the state of Maine as warmer average temperatures, increased precipitation, extreme storm events, decreased snowfall in winter, and warming ocean temperatures are posing challenges to both the economy and the natural ecology (University of Maine, 2015). Since 2004 the Gulf of Maine has warmed faster than any place else on the planet, except for an area northeast of Japan, and during the “Northwest Atlantic Ocean heat wave” of 2012 average water temperatures hit the highest level in the 150 years that humans have been recording them (Andrew Pershing, Gulf of Maine Research Institute).

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

CLIMATE CHANGE

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Falmouth, Maine

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Much of the residential areas at Foreside are relatively level, making walking and driving around the community easy. Steep slopes (>15%) line the western side of the property. Preserving the bluffs and preventing erosion is a key concern of the landscape committee. One cause of erosion on the property is stormwater runoff from roadways, parking areas, and rooftops that is being directed towards the slopes. Tidal waters are also eroding these banks where some vegetation is being undercut. Although erosion is a natural process, these stormwater management practices exacerbate it significantly. Homes built close to these steep bluffs are threatened by this process. Recommendations for controlling erosion are included on page 11.

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Twenty-foot tall slopes buffer Foreside Common from the wetland and estuary (left). However, these slopes are eroding, partially due to poorly managed stormwater; roof runoff and stormwater from roadways is directed towards the slopes, causing erosion (right).

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

EROSION

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35’

Foreside Common

Route 1

25’ 15’ 5’

Prescumpscot River Estuary

Elevation at Foreside Common drops 35’ from Route 1 to the estuary.

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estuary impermeable surfaces storm drain and piping direction of drainage stormwater outfall

Stormwater from roadways and parking areas is directed into two outfalls on the property and then into the estuary.

D rainage & S oils

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee for the

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Falmouth, Maine

Soils on site are predominantly sandy loams, which are well drained and tend to be acidic. This means plants should be chosen that prefer acidic soils, and drier conditions, and that can tolerate occasional drought. Sandy soils offer opportunities to infiltrate stormwater into the ground where it can be filtered and recharge ground water, rather than entering the estuary.

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Surface drainage across the site is predominantly directed towards the steep slopes along the eastern edge of the estuary. Roughly 20% of the property is impervious, in the form of buildings or paved roads and driveways. A stand-alone drainage system collects much of the water which falls on these surfaces and directs it to outfalls located at the western edge of the property, emptying into the estuary. Since the property drains to the west, this means contaminants such as petro-chemicals from vehicles, road salts, pesticides and fertilizers from lawns, and pathogens from pet waste likely find their way into the estuary during rain events and snow melt.

Stormwater runoff can also contribute to the warming of water bodies, which is already a concern along the Maine coast. Water temperature affects the metabolism and reproduction of many aquatic species, and drastic changes in temperature can be fatal (epa.gov).

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

DRAINAGE & SOILS

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System for Defining Well-distributed Stand of Trees in Shoreland zone Diameter Points per Tree Under 2” 2” to < 4”

0 1

4” to < 8” 8” to < 12”

2 4

12” or greater

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Between 75 and 250 feet of the Shoreland Zone, clearing is also limited to no more than 40% of the volume of trees over 4 inches in diameter within a 10-year period. This means that the more land that is cleared for buildings, lawn, and driveways, the less can be thinned elsewhere. Cleared openings cannot exceed 25% of the lot area within the Shoreland Zone, or 10,000 square feet, whichever is greater. (Maine Department of Environmental Protection, 2008) Some of the white pines in the Shoreland Zone are crowding structures and are recommended for removal. In these instances Shoreland regulations must be followed.

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee for the

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Falmouth, Maine

Within 75 feet of the high water mark, no opening in the forest canopy may exceed 250 square feet; footpaths must be less than 6 feet wide. (Foreside Common appears to be in compliance with these regulations.) Selective cutting is allowed, provided a well-distributed stand of trees remains. The state zoning standards establish a rating system which defines a “well-distributed stand of trees.” Within the Shoreland Zone, the property owner must maintain a minimum number of “points” worth of trees within any 25-foot by 50-foot area, and at least 5 saplings. 16 points worth must be maintained within Foreside’s Shoreland Zone. Points are assigned to trees, depending on their size.

The table to the left shows how points are assigned.

S horeland Z one and W etland

In these Shoreland Zones no more than 40 percent of the total volume of trees over 4 inches in diameter in the buffer area may be cut in any 10-year period. Furthermore, vegetation less than 3 feet in height, including ground-cover, cannot be removed from Shoreland Zones. Pruning the lower third of the branches of a tree within the buffer is allowed.

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More than half of Foreside Common is regulated as either Shoreland Zone or wetland, placing restrictions on activities that can take place here. In the state of Maine, most land uses within 250 feet of rivers, wetlands, lakes, and the ocean, and within 75 feet of certain streams are subject to the regulation of Maine’s Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act. The law protects water quality, limits erosion, conserves wildlife and vegetation, and preserves the natural beauty of Maine’s shoreland areas. Foreside Common was built prior to the adoption of the Shoreland Zoning Act, and many of the units are well within this zone. It is important that efforts are made to preserve and protect the natural vegetation that exists within this buffer.

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

SHORELAND ZONE & WETLAND

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Large stands of pine cast shade year round in the southern side of the Foreside property.

Winter snow storage Deep winter shade

W inter S hade & S now S torage

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Falmouth, Maine

Winter snow storage from road plowing currently occurs at various locations across the property. In these locations it is important to place plants which will not be disturbed by the pushing and dumping of snow piles, as well as the concentrated salts that will be collected in the process. Brittle or fragile plants, and as those with low salt-tolerance should be avoided in these areas.

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Planted over thirty years ago as a visual barrier between the common and Route 1, many of the white pines on site have grown to over 75 feet in height. These evergreen canopies are now blocking sunlight from much of the property year round. This is a concern to residents, particularly in the southern and southeastern portions of the property, which remain in deep shade through out the year. The shade cast from the pines causes the most discontent in winter when the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trajectory is lowest in the sky and the evergreen pines block sunlight across the site. Deep shade in the winter months means snow and ice persist, requiring more de-icing management techniques such as salts and sand to be used to address road safety.

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

WINTER SHADE & SNOW STORAGE

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Shoreland Zone Impervious surface Deep winter shade Steep slopes Privacy wanted Inundation

Severe storms (category 4) could inundate 48 of 62 units.

With climate change the likelihood of severe storm events is increasing. The U.S. government forecasts predict storm inundations and rising tides up the estuary. The most severe of these storms has the potential to inundate many of the homes and roadways in Foreside Common.

Vegetation is causing problems Tall pines, large foundation plantings and unmaintained vegetation are all creating undesired conditions across the site.

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More than half of the property may be subject to regulation.

This may restrict activities that can take place here.

Falmouth, Maine

Steep slopes (>15%) along the western side of the property cause erosion.

Erosion is partially due to poorly managed stormwater runoff, which in some cases is directed towards slopes.

S ummary A nalysis

More sunlight is desired across the site.

Much of the southeastern property and other isolated pockets are deeply shaded in winter.

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Privacy and screening along the eastern and southern border is desired.

The eastern and southern portion of the property is adjacent to single-family homes and heavily trafficked Route 1. Improving the sense of privacy for these spaces with high density vegetation at a lower height is desired.

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Impermeable surfaces cover close to 20% of the site.

These impervious surfaces consist of rooftops, roads, and driveways. Finding ways to redirect and infiltrate runoff from these surfaces is key to a successful design that minimizes the impact of the site on the estuary.

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

SUMMARY ANALYSIS

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Recommendation

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

EROSION MANAGEMENT

Modified rock fill 75% stones btwn 4”-8” (optional)

The redirection and infiltration of stormwater will help prevent erosion, but additional supports are likely needed on the slopes themselves. Trees and root masses not only add strength to slopes, they also adapt to changing conditions as the bank and shore change form. When a tree topples via natural causes, the tree trunk and root mass still provide armor for the shore, dissipating wave energy, capturing sediment, and providing habitat for new plants.

Cut log, 12” D.I.A. untreated Wood stake 4x4x4 placed 10;’ o.c.

Duckbill Anchor & cable, driven to min 3’ depth placed 15’ o.c.

straw wattle, 12” diameter

untreated wood stake 4’x4”x4” placed 10’ o.c. min

Fascine Not to Scale

Recommended Plant Species

American sycamore Buttonbush

Elderberry

Hay scented fern Long beech fern Ninebark

Northern sea oats Pensylvanica sedge Pussy willow Red osier dogwood Silky dogwood

Platanus occidentalis Cephalanthus occidentalis Sambucus canadensis Dennstaedtia punctilobata Phegopteris connectilis Physocarpus opulifolius Chasmanthium latifolium Carex Pensylvanica Salix discolor Cornus sericea Cornus amomum

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee for the

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Live Stakes Not to Scale

INSTALLATION NOTES Install stakes during their dormancy (late fall to early spring). Do not allow them to dry out. Soaking before planting significantly increases survival and growth rate.

Drive a pilot hole in firm soil, planting at right angles (buds oriented up) with at least two-thirds of its length underground. Tamp the soil down around the cuttings and water. If a long dry spell or hot weather is expected after planting, irrigation may be warranted.

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1’-2’ o.c. spacing on staggered grid

Fascines (also called wattles) are branches bundled together to trap sediment and protect against erosion. They are laid horizontally along streambank contours to impede water flow before it reaches the streambank. Fascines can also be used above the water line to slow down water flow and help prevent erosion. Larger logs can be obtained from site clearing elsewhere on the property.

Falmouth, Maine

Live stake, min 1/4 “ DIA, 2-4’ length Insert chamfered bottom edge down, embed min. 2/3 s with max 1/3 exposed

E rosion M anagement

Live stakes are dormant, live woody cuttings with the branches trimmed off. Live stakes create a root mat that stabilizes the soil by reinforcing and binding soil particles together. Stake establishment also can also improve aesthetics of an area by replacing bare soil with green plants and provide a habitat for wildlife.

Cut log Not to Scale

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This live, dynamic reinforcement is better able to adapt to changing landforms than static structures such as bulkheads or revetments.

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Recommendation

plants absorb runoff and pollutants

rock swale

permeable concrete

overflow structure

gravel bed

sub grade native soil

Buffer outflows from storm drains with rocks and live stake plantings to slow rate of runoff. Such a strategy will slow the flow rate of water, preventing cutting and erosion. Elderberry and dogwoods are appropriate species for this location to stabalize soil.

root zone aides in nutrient uptake, microbial activity and infiltration gravel bed Ponding zone allows pollutants to settle and organic matter to accumulate

rip rap stones

Stormwater runoff from outflows is cutting and causing erosion.

Recommended Plant Species Blue hill sage Blazing star Black-eyed susan Coneflower Red switchgrass Yarrow Pink muhly grass Fountain grass Tussock sedge Butterfly weed

Salvia x sylvestris Liatris spicata Rudbeckiea triloba Echinacea spp. & cvs Panicum virgatum Achillea millefolium Muhlenbergia capillaris Pennisetum alopecuroides Carex stricta Asclepias tuberosa

S tormwater I nfiltration

filter fabric

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for the

gutter

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(keep 10 feet away from structures)

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

rain garden

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Reduce impermeable surface via permeable asphalt or concrete driveways. This work can be phased in as surfaces are in need of replacement. In a 1” rainfall event over 115,000 gallons of water from the roadways in Foreside Common are collecting pollutants and running off into the estuary.

Falmouth, Maine

With predictions of increasing storm severity and frequency, it is even more important to address stormwater runoff as close to the source as possible.

Three strategies for this include:

Redirect gutters into rain gardens instead of onto slopes. Currently roof runoff is being directed to the slopes and Prescumpscot estuary. Rain gardens are shallow vegetated basins constructed where a significant amount of stormwater is concentrated, like a downspout, driveway, or other outlet. Rain gardens detain this water, allowing it to slowly permeate into the ground, reducing overland runoff and allowing contaminated water to be filtered by the soil. As Foreside Common has primarily sandy soils, the site is particularly well-suited to rain gardens as this soil type is able to absorb water quickly.

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Shoreline erosion at Foreside Common is partially caused by stormwater runoff from rooftops and paved surfaces being directed into the bluffs.

These impermeable surfaces account for approximately 20 percent of the land cover in Foreside Common.

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

STORMWATER INFILTRATION

Recommendation

As the new vegetation grows, and effectively blocks the view, the fence can be removed if desired. It is suggested that small access openings be created in the fence the first year the pines are removed to make access to and maintenance of newly planted vegetation easier.

Furthermore the amount of maintenance and time spent caring for these spaces is perhaps misguided, as a lush green lawn is difficult to achieve in many places due to the sandy soils found here and heavy shade, conditions not well suited to lawn grasses. The best options to the current management approach are a combination of reducing the mowed area and changing the current grass species to a low-mow fescue mix.

By expanding the woodland garden habitat from the foundation plantings outward toward the road, the need for lawn care in unused yard spaces will be reduced. Understory shrubs and herbaceous perennials will help keep an open feel.

Another option is to change the existing grass to a “low-mow” mixture comprising of a blend of bunch-forming and creeping fescues. Seeding the lawn with a “low-mow” mixture will preserve the traditional lawn feel, but greatly reduce maintenance costs.

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Falmouth, Maine

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Low-mow fescues thrive in full sun to partial shade, in most soil types and light conditions, and are particularly well suited to growing on dry, sandy or rocky soils. Fertilizers are not necessary or recommended.

lawn alternatives

The recommended privacy screen species here provide year-round privacy and serve many similar ecological functions, such as cover, habitat, forage for birds and other wildlife, and carbon sequestration.

A mix of deciduous and evergreen species add diversity and allow for air circulation.

Early spring seedings can also work (between March 15 and May 15) but these seedings will experience greater weed competition and usually require more watering as the temperatures rise going into summer. Development of the turf is slower than with fall seedings due to increased competition from weeds.

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Privacy Screen The major intended function of the pines planted along the eastern border of the property was to serve as a privacy screen blocking neighboring properties and Route 1. As the trees grew and lower limbs died, eventually a fence was constructed to maintain privacy.

Fall is the best time to sow, ideally between late August and mid-October. Cool season lawns that are seeded in fall experience markedly less weed competition than spring seedings, mature faster, and should form a sod by the end of the following spring.

P rivacy S creen

Shorter species will replace the pines and tall shrubs will grow to hide the privacy fence.

Lawn Alternatives Lawns have become the defining feature of the American yard, but the traditional turf landscape is expensive and energyintensive, requiring irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, and frequent mowing. Additionally, lawns do a poor job infiltrating water after rain events. Traditional lawns can be an appropriate ground cover for spaces where people frequently congregate to play or socialize; however, in Foreside Common much of the lawn is along the roadways, a place where people are not gathering.

The Ins and Outs of Low-Mow Lawns Site preparation for low-mow species is very important; the ground will first need to be cleared from all competing species/weeds.

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

American holly Ilex opaca Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis Aronia/Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia Blackhaw Viburnum prunifolium Blue spruce Picea pungens Common juniper Juniperis communis Eastern red cedar Juniperius virginiana Hazelnut Corylus american Mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia Rhododendron Rhododendron maximum

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Recommended Plant Species

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

PRIVACY SCREEN & LAWN ALTERNATIVES

A low-mow lawn mix looks similar to tradition grass but requires less maintenance.

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Recommendation

3.

Limbing up a tree will create a more open feel beneath.

When pruning large limbs, start by making an undercut (1) 4-6” from where the branch attaches to the trunk. Next, cut all the way through the limb 2” beyond the undercut (2), then remove the stub (3), leaving a 0.5-1” collar to heal properly.

Rejuvenating shrubs can be done by removing 1/3 the oldest canes each year for three years. Some species will tolerate removing all the canes at once.

cut back to above leaf whorl or just above faint rings on bare wood (dormant buds beneath bark)

some varieties will not produce new growth from bare wood

Rose

varies according to type

cut out dead, remove old canes that are no longer vigorous, shape remaining

multiple species, each with varied pruning time and technique

Pieris

after bloom

require little pruning, remove dead and thin poorly located branches

Red Osier dogwood

late dormant season

cut 1/3 oldest canes back to ground each year

to rejuvenate old overgrown shrubs, cut to ground completely before it leafs out, then thin new shoots as needed

Forsythia

after bloom

cut to ground 1/3 oldest stems, remove dead and crowded branches

to rejuvenate old overgrown shrubs, cut to ground completely before it leafs out, then thin new shoots as needed

Yew

anytime, best before spring growth flush

responds well to trimming, deeper cuts can be made if form needs improvement

don’t cut back to bare branch, leafless branch wont sprout

Bush honeysuckle best before spring growth

cut to ground 1/3 oldest stems, remove dead and crowded branches

to rejuvenate old overgrown shrubs, cut to ground completely before it leafs out, then thin new shoots as needed

Lilac

after bloom

cut oldest stems to ground each year

most bloom on previous year’s growth

Arbor vitae

anytime, best before spring growth flush

make selective cuts within foliage outline

don’t cut back to bare branch, leafless branch wont sprout

Viburnum

after bloom

thin dead and crowded branches, when oldest main stems stop producing vigorous growth cut back to ground

healthy shrubs require little pruning, cut to ground to rejuvenate

spring 2017

▲

Nor th

14/26

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

after frost in areas of severe winter

for the

Rhododendron

P repared

OTHER NOTES

Falmouth, Maine

HOW TO PRUNE

plants

1.

WHEN TO PRUNE

C urrent

2.

PLANT

of

Limbing up the cherry and maple in front of the club house and the center isle of maples at the entrance which would open up the area below, allowing more light to penetrate and thus improving the feel of the space.

M anagement

Some vegetation in the cul de sac islands is crowded and requires pruning.

Areas where rejuvenation should be adequate or at least attempted as the first step in a broader landscape renewal approach include the shrubs around the pool, the shrubs along Route 1 north of the entrance, and the vegetation in the various cul de sac islands. These areas are the “low-hanging-fruit” of the landscape renewal plan, where a little effort and pruning could go a long way.

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Many of the original landscape plantings at Foreside Common are improperly placed in regard to their mature size, creating unintended problems and obstacles for use and upkeep of these spaces.

However, some of the existing vegetation simply requires adequate pruning and maintenance to retain a certain size and form. In many cases, rejuvenation techniques can improve not only the appearance but the vigor and health of plants, resulting in fuller flower sets and better air circulation between branches. In some cases, pruning will simply improve the human experience of a space, either by improving access and usability of pathways and roads, or by opening up spaces that appear crowded.

By working with existing vegetation to return it to a desired form and size, the cost and energy associated with removal and replacement can be saved and directed towards other aspects of the landscape.

Shrubs around the pool are encroaching into the usable recreation space.

Residents feel the area north of the entrance looks scraggly and unkempt.

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

MANAGEMENT OF CURRENT PLANTS

Shrubs are overgrown around the club house and pool, encroaching on usable space near the pool. The lack of aesthetic appeal might contribute to low usae of common spaces.

Pines are tall and crowded with dead lower branches and are no longer providing privacy, a problem throughout the site.

Foundation plantings around the clubhouse are also overgrown and improperly pruned.

club house

spring 2017

Residents would like to block views of the electrical boxes, while facilitating easy access for maintenance workers needing to make repairs.

Falmouth, Maine

tennis courts

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Privacy is primarily needed from Route 1 and at the entranceway, though residents would like to have a more welcoing entrance.

Plants around the pool are overgrown, though generally in good health. welcoming entrance desired

The front entrance provides privacy from busy Route 1 but lacks aesthetic appeal.

impervious surface overgrown vegetation undesirable view

Sparse and spindly vegetation around the clubhouse could be enhanced.

E xisting C onditions - F ront

P repared

pool

for the

The front common spaces, which include the pool and tennis courts, serve as the demonstration site for the Landscape Master Plan.

The challenges here are representative of many of the challenges elsewhere on the property: a desire for privacy coupled with overgrown trees and shrubs as well as an abundance of impervious surfaces.

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

EXISTING CONDITIONS - FRONT

â&#x2013;˛

Nor th

15/26

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

ENTRANCE & CLUBHOUSE DESIGN The front entrance design creates an inviting arrival experience to Foreside Common with four-season interest and a range of colors and textures through the growing season.

Vegetation along the road edge transitions to a low-canopy open-forest theme, with a dense understory shrub and herbaceous layer, with native and ornamental species for habitat and interest. It preserves the privacy of both communal and private spaces around the entrance, and also reduces mowing.

Flowering perennials welcome visitors to the pool in the summer months

Inviting entrance with summer perennials welcomes residents

Small shrubs hide electrical boxes while maintaining access for maintenance workers

The woodland garden will have overlapping layers of ground covers, ferns, shrubs and trees.

Alee of trees lines the entrance

Sweeping drifts of ground cover

1

Blue spruce provide year round color and maintain privacy

The planting pattern layers plants based on form, size and shade tolerance.

4

3

2

1 trees: serviceberry, flowering dogwood, redbud 2 medium-height broad-leaf evergreens: rhododendrons, mountain laurels 3 spreading dry-tolerant ferns: hay-scented fern, Christmas fern 4. low ground cover: sweet woodruff, lambs ear, ajuga

â&#x2013;˛

Nor th

16/26

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee for the

P repared

Ground cover reduces the need for mowing

spring 2017

pool

Falmouth, Maine

Plant selections are adapted to the soil, shade and climate on the site. A diversity of species matches the broader species richness along the Maine coast and ultimately improves the ecological services of the site.

clubhouse

E ntrance & C lubhouse D esign

This design removes pines along the entryway as well as alternate crabapple trees along the southern side of the entrance. The median strip groundcover is planted with evergreen ferns.

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

This area will take time to develop and mature into a shaded woodland garden. As a result, species composition may change with time as those more suited to full sun give way to shade-loving species.

D esign D etails

New plantings in front of the club house enhance the experience in the space while also reducing maintenance.

Front entrance welcomes residents with a double allĂŠe of trees.

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee for the

spring 2017

Falmouth, Maine

P repared

New plantings in front of the tennis court enhance the privacy of the space.

Hostas punctuate the veronica ground cover.

Layers of ground cover reduce the need for mowing and create a more inviting entrance to the clubhouse

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Evergreen shrubs provide year-round privacy for the tennis courts.

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

DESIGN DETAILS

â&#x2013;˛

Nor th

17/26

Units 2-4

BB

Bayberry

BES

Black-eyed susan

BS

Blue spruce

CF

Christmas fern

CJ

Creeping jenny

DL

Day lillies

EC

Echinacea

FD

Flowering dogwood

GR

Geranium

HA

Heath aster

HS

Hosta

HSF

Hayscented fern

JP

Japanese pieris

KD

Kousa dogwood

LBS

Little bluestem

LE

Lamb's ear

LV

Lilly of the valley

ML

Mountain laurel

MP

Moss phlox

NT

New Jersey tea

PJM

Rhododendron 'PJM'

RA

Rhus aromatica

RB

Redbud

RD

Rhododendron

RO

Red oak

ROD

Red osier dogwood

SB

Serviceberry

SS

Summersweet

SW

Sweet woodruff

VB

Viburnum

VR

Veronica

▲

Nor th

18/26

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

Bulbs

for the

B

P repared

Aronia

spring 2017

AR

Falmouth, Maine

New vegetation includes: • Flowering perennials at the front entrance • Blue spruces to provide privacy from road • Two red oaks to frame the front entrance • A mix of understory species layered in height • Sweeping drifts of ground cover • New shrubs and perennials to disguise the electric boxes at the northwest and southwest corners of the clubhouse area.

• Ground covers to replace the lawn

Ajuga

P lanting P lan - E ntrance

Pool

AJ

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Changes to existing vegetation include: • Removing dominant pine canopy • Removing four crabapples • Pruning the forsythias around the electric boxes, which will thrive with pines removed

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

PLANTING PLAN - ENTRANCE

Black eyed susan

CF

Christmas fern

DL

Day lillies

EC

Echinacea

FD

Flowering dogwood

GR

Geranium

HS

Hosta

HSF

Hayscented fern

KD

Kousa dogwood

LE

Lamb's ear

LV

Lilly of the valley

ML

Mountain laurel

MP

Moss phlox

NT

New Jersey tea

PJM

Rhododendron 'PJM'

RA

Rhus aromatica

RB

Redbud

RD

Rhododendron

SB

Serviceberry

SW

Sweet woodruff

VR

Veronica

New vegetation includes: • Trees and shrubs to replace pines removed from the west of the tennis courts • New shrubs and perennials to disguise the electric boxes at the northwest and southwest corners of the clubhouse area • Ground covers to replace the lawn • Perennials at the pool gates to add color to the landscape

▲

Nor th

19/26

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

BES

for the

Bayberry

P repared

BB

Changes to existing vegetation include: • Limbing up two trees in front of the club house (maple & ornamental cherry) • Removing the arborvitae, rhododendron and azalea in front of the building • Removing the lawn in front of and to the north of the clubhouse • Removing yews around electrical boxes and the hedges growing into the fence between the club house and tennis courts

spring 2017

Bulbs

Falmouth, Maine

B

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Ajuga

P lanting P lan -C lubhouse

Clubhouse

AJ

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

PLANTING PLAN - CLUBHOUSE

SOLOMON’S SEAL

WILD GINGER

SWEET WOODRUFF

CHRISTMAS FERN

LITTLE BLUE STEM

TUSSOCK SEDGE

SHRUBS

HAYSCENTED FERN

BLUE VIOLET

LAMB’S EAR

ST. JOHN’S WORT

CINQUEFOIL

RHODODENDRON

RED OSIER DOGWOOD

GROUND COVERS

spring 2017

P repared

BLUE SPRUCE

KOUSA DOGWOOD

FERNS & GRASSES

REDBUD

P lant P recedents

RED OAK

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

HEUCHERA

Falmouth, Maine

BLAZING STAR

for the

GERANIUM

ECHINACEA

TREES

BEE BALM

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

PERENNIALS

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

PLANT PRECEDENTS

▲

Nor th

20/26

PLANT PALETTE I

Moisture Key d - dry m - medium w - wet v - tolerates a variety

Latin

Common

Height

Width

Sun

Moisture Requirements

Soil

Bloom time / color

Notes

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

Location

Sun Key fs - full sun ps - part shade sh- full shade

15-25’

fs - ps

m

widely adaptable, prefers well drained

May - June / white

purple-red edible berries, birds love the fruit, showy fall foliage

FE, CH, FP

Cercis canadensis

Eastern Red Bud

20-35’

20-40’

fs - ps

v

tolerant of variation

April - May/ pinkpurple

short lived 30-50 years, sensitive to salt, flowers edible

FE, CH, FP

Cornus florida

Flowering Dogwood

15-30’

15-30’

fs - ps

m

humusy, acidic well drained, prefers moist

April - May / white

bright red fruits loved by birds

FP

Ilex opaca

American holly

15-30’

10-20’

fs - ps

m

well drained, intolerant May - June / white of wet

bright red - orange fruits ripen in fall, birds eat berries through winter

PS, FE, CH

Juniperius virginiana

Eastern Red Cedar

30’ +

8-25’

fs

d-m

well drained, intolerant NA of wet

cultivars vary in size, great habitat for birds and small mammals

PS, FE, CH

Picea pungens

Blue Spruce

30-60’

10-20’

fs

m

well drained, moist

NA

established plants can tolerate some drought, young plants cannot

FE

Quercus rubra

Northern red oak

60-75

45’

fs

d-m

fertile, sandy, well drained, acidic

May / yellow-green

native to area, great fall foliage

PS

Rhus copallinum

Winged Sumac

6-30’

6-15’

fs - ps

v

widely adaptable

July / cream

berries and foliage provide good fall color

PS

Sorbus americanus

Mountain Ash

15-30’

15-25’

fs

m

moist, humusy, acidic well drained

May / white

orange berries provide fall color and wildlife forage, ‘Dwarfcrown’ popular variety, prone to deer browse

SHRUBS PS, FE, CH, FP

Aronia arbutifolia

Aronia, Chokeberry

8-12’

4-6’

fs - ps

m-w

well suited to a variety

spring / white

four season interest, spring flowers, fall foliage, winter berries persist and bark

FE, CH, FP

Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey tea

3-4’

3-5’

fs - ps

d

light, well drained soils

June - July/ white

fixes nitrogen

FE, FP

Clethera alnafolia

Summersweet

6-10’

6-8’

fs - ps

m-w

well drained, does not like dry

July - Aug / white

native to Maine, attracts butterflies, good for erosion control, tolerates full shade

FP

Comptonia peregrina

Sweet-fern

2-5’

4-8’

fs - ps

m

well suited to a variety

April - May / yellowish green

tolerant of drought

EC

Cornus amomum

Silky Dogwood

6-10’

6-10’

fs - ps

m-w

well drained, organically rich, acidic

May - June / yellowish white

tolerates close to full shade, good for erosion control

EC, FE, FP

Cornus sericea (C. stolonifera) Red Osier Dogwood

4-5’

4-5’

fs - ps

m-w

well drained, well suited to a variety

May - June / white

canes turn bright red in winter, good for erosion control

FE, CH

Cornus kousa

Kousa dogwood

20-30’

20-30’

fs - ps

m

well drained, acid nuetral, orgnically rich

May-June/ white to pinkish

good fall color, birds eat fruit

PS, F, C

Corylus americana

Hazelnut

10-16’

8-13’

fs - ps

m

average, well drained

March - April/ male brown, female - red

some varieties have colorful fall foliage, need both male and female for nut production, wildlife value!

FP

Cotoneaster diveracatus

Cotoneaster

5-6’

6-8’

fs - ps

m

moist loamy well drained

late summer / blue

can propogate by stem cuttings

FP

Hypericum

St. johnswort bush

12-18”

18-24”

fs - ps

m

well drained, well suited to a variety

July - Aug / bright yellow

great edge for open woodland gardens, does well under trees

NA

PS, FP, C

Juniperis communis

Common Juniper

5-10’

8-12’

fs

d

acid - nuetral

FP

Kalmia angustifolia

Sheep laurel

1-3’

1-3’

ps

d-m

cool, moist, rich, acidic, May / rose, white w well drained purple

native to Maine, cultivars provide flowers of various colors and growth form.

evergreen shrub

PS, F, C

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain laurel

5-15’

5-15’

ps

m

cool, moist, rich, acidic, May / rosey to well drained white with purple markings

susceptible to leaf spot and blights, borers, scale, white flies and lace bugs

FP

Kolwitzia amablis

Beauty berry

6-8’

6’

fs - ps

m

well drained

April - May / pink w yellow

birds love the fruit, purple or white varieties

FE, CH

Morella caroliniensis (Myrica pensylvanica)

Northern Bayberry

6’

6’

fs - ps

d

well suited to a variety

May / yellow-green

good for massing, tolerates poor soils, aromatic foliage

P repared

15-30’

spring 2017

Serviceberry

Falmouth, Maine

Amalanchier spp

P lant P alette I

FE, FP, PS, RG

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

TREES

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

FP: Foundation Plantings FE: Front entrance CH: Club House PS: Privacy screen RG: Rain Garden EC: Erosion control LA: Lawn Alternative

for the

Location Key

▲

Nor th

21/26

d-m

well drained, intolerant July - Oct / lavender good drought tolerance, flowers best in full sun of wet - blue

FE, RG, EC, FP

Physocarpus opulifolius

Ninebark

5-10’

4-6’

fs - ps

d-m

well drained, well suited to a variety

May - June / white

purple cultivars available

FE, FP

Pieris japonica

Andromeda

9-12’

6-8’

fs - ps

m

well drained, organically rich, acidic

April - May / white

evergreenish, supplement soils with organic matter, works well as shrub border

FP

Potentilla fruticosa

Bush cinquefoil

2-4’

2-3’

fs - ps

d-m

well suited to a variety

June - Sept / Yellow

attracts butterflies, tolerates drought

FP

Prunus maritima

Beach plum

6+’

6’+

fs - ps

d-m

well drained

April / white

purple, sometimes yellow to crimson fruits edible

PS, FE, CH

Rhododendron maximum

Rhododendron

5-15’

5-12’

ps - sh

m

well drained, acidic

spring / various

available in many colors, native to region

FE, CH, FP

Rhododendron ‘pjm’

Rhododendron

3-4’

3-5’

ps - sh

m

well drained, acidic

spring / various

these hybrids are well adapted to northern regions

FP

Rosa rugosa

Rose

4-6’

4-6’

fs

m

well suited to a variety

June - July / rose pink - white

an attractive ornamental, requires some maintenance to discourage disease, rose hips persist through winter.

EC, RG

Salix discolor

Pussy willow

6-15’

4-12’

fs - ps

m-w

well drained, prefers moist, intolerant of dry

April - May / yellow and green

plants may be cut to ground every 3-5 years to maintain a shrub-like appearance

EC, RG

Sambucus canadensis

Elderberry

5-12’

5-12’

fs - ps

m-w

well suited to a variety

June - July / white

spreads by root suckers to form colonies, wonderfull berries used for folk medicine and eaten by birds, great rain garden plant

FP

Taxus x media ‘Densiformus’

Dwarf yew

3-4’

4-6’

fs - ps

m

well drained

NA

great evergreen shrub for shade

FP

Vaccinium corymbosum

Highbush Blueberry

6-12’

8-12”

fs - ps

m

acid, well drained, organic sands

May / white - pink

edible berries, birds enjoy fruit, plant more then one variety for heavy fruit set

FP

Vaccinium angustifolium

Lowbush blueberry

6”- 2’

2’ +

fs - ps

moist

acid, well drained, organic sands

May / white - pink

edible berries, birds enjoy fruit, plant more then one variety for heavy fruit set

PS, F, C

Viburnum landtanoides

Nannyberry

14-16’

6-12’

fs - ps

m

well drained

spring / white

blackish berries in fall enjoyee through winter by wildlife, suckers

PS, F, C

Viburnum prunifolium

Blackhaw

12-15’

8-12’

fs - ps

d-m

well drained

late spring/ white

berries enjoyed by birds, foliage provides fall color, drought tolerant

PERENNIALS Achillea millefolium

Yarrow

2-3’

2-3’

fs

d-m

well drained, tolerates poor soils

June - Sept / white

tolerates drought, good rain garden plant, available in many colors

LA

Arctostaphylos uva ursi

Bearberry

6-12”

3-6’

fs - ps

d-m

acidic, well drained, sandy

April - May / white

grows well in inferile soils, red fruits remain through winter, birds enjoy fruit

RG

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly weed

12-30”

12-18”

fs

d-m

well drained, tolerates poor soils

June - Aug / yellow - orange

drought tolerant, attracts butterflies

CH

Aster ericoides

Heath aster ‘snow flurry’

6-8”

12-18”

fs

d-m

well drained, well suited to a variety

August - Oct / white w yellow centers

provides profuse late summer/early fall bloom for edges, ground cover

FE, CH

Galium odoratum

Sweet woodruff

6-12”

8-18”

ps - sh

m-w

well drained, prefers moist

May - June / white

great shady ground cover, spreads by creeping roots and seed

FE, CH

Geranium sanguineum

Bloody cranesbill

9-18”

12 - 18”

fs - ps

m

well drained, prefers most and organic rich

May - June / pink reddish-purple

mass for ground cover, good for borders

FE, CH

Hererocallis minor

Day lilly

1-2’

8-12”

fs - ps

m

well drained, well suited to a variety

June / yellow

super adaptable, spread to form verdent ground cover, multiply overtie, divide clumps to maintain vigor

CH

Heuchera sanguinea

Alumroot

1-2’

12-18”

fs - ps

m

well drained, organic rich

June - Aug / pink - red

mass as ground cover or use from border

RG

Liatris spicata

Blazing star

2-4’

2-3’

fs

m

well drained, prefers moist

July - Aug / red purple

attracts birds and butterflies, has a showy red/ purple flower

RG

Monarda bradburiana

Beebalm

1-2’

1-2’

fs - ps

d-m

well drained, tolerates poor soils

June - Sept / red, pink, white w purple

needs good air circulation, tolerant of drought

FE, CH

Phlox subulata

Moss phlox

3-6”

1-2’

fs

m

well drained, prefers sand

April - June / various colors available

tolerates heat and drought

FE, CH, FP

Rhus aromatica

Gro-low fragrant sumac

18-24”

6-10’

fs - ps

d-m

well drained, tolerates poor soils

April - May / yellowgold

very good bank stablizer, tolerates poor soil, fall color

P lant P alette

ii

RG

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

fs

for the

36”

P repared

36-60”

spring 2017

Russian sage

Falmouth, Maine

Perovskia atriplicifolia

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

FP

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

PLANT PALETTE II

▲

Nor th

22/26

FE, CH

Rudbeckiea triloba

Black-eyed Susan

2-3’

12-18”

fs

m

well drained, well suited to a variety

July - Oct / yellow w brown-purple center

New England native, attracts butterflies

FE,

Tiarella cordifolia

Foam flower

8-12”

1-2’

ps - sh

m

well drained, prefers rich, moist

May - June / white - pink

attractive ground cover in shade gardens/woodland gardens

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

PLANT PALETTE III

fs - ps

m

acidic, organic rich

NA

a tough ground cover with a soft, light green texture that does well in sun.

Aggressive; creeps very quickly.

FE, CH

Phegopteris connectilis

Long Beech Fern

6”

6”, spreads

ps - sh

m

acidic, organic rich

NA

low growing smaller sized fern, spreads well

FE, CH

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern

24”

18”

ps - sh

d-m

well drained, organic rich

NA

dark, leathery green fern similar to Boston Fern. Does well in rocky soil.

Creeps slowly. Evergreen.

Grasses, annuals, others FE

Andropogon gerardii

Big bluestem

5-8’

4-6’

fs - ps

tolerant of various

tolerant of various

Sept - Oct / purplish-red

lush blue-green summer foliage, turns orange/ copper red in fall and remains through winter

EC

Carex Pensylvanica

Pensylvanica Sedge

6-12”

6-12”, spreads

ps - sh

d-m

well drained, loose loams

May / green

tolerates heavy shade and wet soils, plant plugs, doesn’t grow well from seed, usefull lawn alternative

RG

Carex stricta

Tussock sedge

1-3’

1-2’

fs - ps

m-w

wet soils

June / redish brown

good specimen for rain gardens

EC

Chasmanthium latifolium

Northern Sea Oats

2-5’

1-2.5’

fs - ps

v

tolerant of various

Aug - Sept / green

attractive drrooping seedgeads, spikelets turn bright red in fall, great plant for winter interest, most shade tolerant ornamental grass

RG, FE

Eragrostis spectablis

Purple lovegrass

1-2’

1-2’

fs

d-m

well drained, tolerates poor soils

July - Aug / reddish - purple

native to Maine, reddish-purple flowers form in a loose open inflorescense

RG, FE

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Pink muhly grass

2-3’

2-3’

fs - ps

d-m

well drained, tolerates poor soils

Sept - Nov / pinkish- attractive summer foliage and spectacular clouds of fall flowers, tall seed red plumes remain attractive in winter, best massed or grouped

RG

Panicum virgatum

Switchgrass

3-6’

2-3’

fs - ps

m-w

tolerant of various

July - Sept / pinkish

FE

Schizachyrium scoparium

Little bluestem

2-4’

1.5-2’

fs

d-m

tolerant of variation

July - Sept / purplish resilliant and hardy, flowers followed by clusters of fluffy, silvery white bronze seedheads which persist into the winter, cut to ground in spring.

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

30”

for the

18-24”

P repared

Hay-scented fern

spring 2017

Dennstaedtia punctilobata

Falmouth, Maine

EC, FE, CH, FP

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

FERNS

Ajuga reptans ‘Mahogany’

Mahogany bugleweed 6”

12”

fs - ps

m

prefers moist, well drained

May - June / blue

compact, aggressive, mat-forming ground cover, growing even in dry shade.

Will fill large shady areas where lawns are difficult to establish.

FE, CH

Convallaria majalis

Lilly of the Valley

6-8”

12”

fs - ps

m

well drained, fertile, organically rich

May - June / white

vigorous, classic ground cover with sweet-smelling bell-shaped flowers.

FE, CH, LA

Lysimachia nummularia

Creeping Jenny

4-6”

12-18”

fs - ps

m-w

well drained, organic rich

June / yellow

creeping spreader, best yellow leaf color in full sun

FE, CH

Stachys ‘Helene von Stein’

Helene von Stein Lambs’ Ears

10-12”

24-36”

fs

d-m

well drained

rarely flowers

huge silvery leaves and a strong growing habit. Forms a dramatic clump due to the size of its large “lambs” ears.

LA

Thymus pseudolanuginosus

Wooly thyme

4-6”

12”

fs

d-m

loose, sandy, well drained

June - July/ pale pink

attracts butterflies and bees, will not tolerate wet soil

LA, FE, CH

Veronica ‘whitewater’

Speedwell

4-6”

12-18”

fs - ps

m

well drained

June / white

attracts butterflies

LA, FE, CH

Waldsteinia fragarioides

Barren strawberry

3-6”

6-12”

fs - ps

m

tolerates a range

May / yellow

tolerates light foot traffic, good grass replacement

P lant P alette

GROUND COVERS m

iii

noted for its stiff, columnar form, may flop over in shade

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TOTAL

Front Entrance (10,000 sq ft) Pruning + Trimming (along Rt 1) 700 sq ft

6

hrs

$30

$180

Trees

23

5-6’ tree

$215

$4,945

Shrubs

95

3-4’ shrub

$85

$8,075

Ground cover/ perennials 18 - 36”” centers (~5,000 sq ft)

1385

plants

$7

$9,695

Removal of lawn / roto-tilling

6

hrs

$75

$450

Labor for install

217

hrs

$30

$6,510

Ferns (4,000 sq ft)

Materials:

Item

Qty

Unit

Unit Cost

TOTAL

Pine Removal

2.5

acres

$10,000

$25,000

TOTAL

$25,000

Privacy Screen (15,000 sq ft) Trees

65

3-4’ tree

$110

$7,150

Shrubs

85

2-3’ shrub

$36

$3,018

Labor for install (ground prep, planting, mulching, irrigation setup, etc) 1 hr per tree, 3/4 hr per shrub

215

hrs

$30

$6,450

Amendments (4” depth )

130

cy

$30

$3,900

Amendments (4” depth under trees/shrubs only)

95

cy

$30

$2,850

Mulch (2” depth across entire planting area)

65

cy

$25

$1,625

Mulch (2” depth across entire planting area)

95

cy

$25

$2,375

Drip irrigation for trees and shrubs? (500 linear feet)

500

ft

$2

$750

Drip irrigation (~1,500 linear feet)

1,500

ft

$2

$3,750

TOTAL

$25,593

TOTAL

$36,130

Club House (5,550 sq ft)

Rain Garden (35 sq ft)

Pruning + Trimming

8

hrs

$30

$240

Gutter redirection

Trees

4

5-6’ tree

$215

$860

Grading

Shrubs

42

3-4’ shrub

$85

$3,570

Ground cover/ perennials 18-36” centers (~3,750 sq ft)

1050

plants

$7

$7,350

Removal of lawn / roto-tilling

4

hrs

$75

$300

Materials:

$1500

15

Piping

sq ft

$0.25

River cobble / stone work TOTAL

$0

Erosion

$22,500

Amendments (4” depth )

70

cy

$25

$1,750

Stakes

60

stakes

$1

$60

Mulch (2” depth across entire planting area)

35

cy

$30

$1,050

Ground cover

50

plants

$7

$350

$375

Coir Logs

20

coir logs

$75

$1,500

sq ft

$1

Drip irrigation for trees and shrubs? (250 linear feet)

250

ft

$2

Jute netting (stabilize slope)

Labor for installation 140

hrs

$30

$4,200

TOTAL

$19,695

Labor for Install

?

?

TOTAL TOTAL:

$2,077 $130,995 +10%

$145,000

implemtation

Materials

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

Unit Cost

for the

Unit

P repared

Qty

Pruning and rejuvenation of existing plants Pine removal (w/in 30’ of buildings) Pine removal; Install redesigned planting scheme; water Pine removal (w/in 30’ of buildings) for existing area Pine removal and replacement Removal of existing plants and installation of new design Pine removal - Phase 1 Pine Removal and replacement Redirect down spouts, install rain gardens, vegetate slopes Pine removal and replacement Redirect down spouts, install rain gardens Pine removal and replacement Install permeable pavement Adjustments as needed

C ost E stimate &

Item

Pool, Entrance, Clubhouse Southern Area (2018 Painting Schedule) Pool, Entrance, Clubhouse Residences Interior Pine Stands Electrical boxes Eastern border Western slopes (~5 buildings) Eastern border - Phase 2 Eastern homes Eastern border - Phase 3 Driveways & shared parking lots Adjustments as needed

spring 2017

For example, pine removal should be followed with replacement of plants, idealy in the same year. However undertaking this at the front entrance and clubhouse at the same time means an estimated one-time expense of nearly $60,000. These steps could be broken down into multiple stages with tree removal occurring over the course of three years if the association does not have the necessary funds.

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Falmouth, Maine

The instalation of planting plans, stabilization of slopes, and using larger plant materials require a greater up front expense but ultimately reduce maintenance down the road. These phases can be broken down into smaller segments to reduce yearly expenditures, but may prolong the implementation process.

Year Location Activity

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

These preliminary cost estimates give a general sense of the expense of these designs, which are intended to be phased in over the course of 10 years. Maintenance costs will decrease as plants get established.

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

COST ESTIMATES & IMPLEMENTATION

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During the establishment phase of the first year, daily observation of general plant health is recommended to ensure all plant losses are addressed. Replacing dead or struggling plants may be covered by the contractor if the installation is installed by an outside source. Regardless, Identifying and addressing the cause of death or disturbance as soon as they are noticed can make the difference between saving plants and losing them.

As things fill in and the landscape matures, general maintenance will include dead-heading flowers and bulbs, spot weeding, dividing perennials, limited pruning and fertilizing as needed. Observing and addressing any health or damage issues with the vegetation should be part of the day-to-day maintenance regime.

Root ball (completely remove burlap and wire)

Hole 2x width of root ball

Tree and shrub planting detail

Not to Scale

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee for the

P repared

Criteria for replacement vegetation: • Full grown diameter will not crowd buildings (within 1 ft) and for pathways or roads.

3-4” mulch • Vegetation at full grown height does not block views or light • Species selected for low deer browse pressure Backfill with • Plants are site, region and soil appropriate (non-invasive, native soil drought and heat tolerant, light needs considered) • Stack functions (color, four-season interest, forage and habitat for birds and pollinators) Compact pedestal Keep root flair exposed

spring 2017

Stake only if necessary

Falmouth, Maine

Mulching the ground initially after plants are installed will help repress weeds, and keep the soil moist. As the ground covers and shrubs fill in there should be little need to reapply the mulch, allowing the initial application to break down into the soil. Spot weeding will be necessary throughout the landscape, to control any undesired plants that may germinate in the beds. Removing these plants before they get well established or go to seed will save time and energy down the road.

MAINTENANCE

A typical condominium unit with a variety of foundation plantings

Criteria for removal: • Crowding buildings (within 1 ft) or touching • Thin, spindly or sickly looking • More than ¼ of plant limbs are dead • Blocking light or views from home windows • Obstructing pathways, doorways, roads or other access

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Foundation Plantings Many of the original foundation plantings at Foreside have been removed and replaced either by individual unit owners or by the Landscape Association over the years. However, some of these original plantings still exist or were replaced with plants which are struggling or growing too close to homes.

The plants selected for the entrance way and clubhouse are appropriate to place elsewhere on site, given that appropriate attention is given to the conditions of their particular placement.

Ongoing Maintenance These designs attempt to reduce maintenance as much as possible by using plant species and varieties which require little attention, and by covering the ground with dense groupings of plants to discourage weeds and the need for mulching. However, until the plantings mature and fill in, the first few years of installation and establishment will be the highest in terms of maintenance costs.

Once installed, watering and weeding will be the most crucial need of these landscapes in the first two years. Though the recommended plants have been selected for their tolerance of sandy soils and drought conditions, all plants require thorough watering until they are well established. Watering of trees and shrubs would best be done by temporary drip irrigation installation. These systems can be set on times to run during the early morning to reduce evaporation. The irrigation system should be checked bi-weekly to ensure it is functioning correctly.

Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

MAINTENANCE

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Emily Cohen & Ben Rippe

REFERENCES Sources Cited Bryan, Robert R., and Barbara Charry. Conserving Wildlife in Maine’s Shoreland Habitats. Publication. Falmouth, Maine: Maine Audubon, 2006.

Darke, Rick , and Doug Tallamy. The Living Landscape. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2014. Print.

www.vanberkumnursery.com – A northern New England nursery specializing in native plants and ‘Wicked Ruggeds’. www.estabrooksonline.com - A Maine nursery for trees, shrubs and perennials www.northcreeknurseries.com - A Pennsylvania based wholesale nursery focused on selecting and propagating plants for ecological landscaping. Their website provides resources on species selection for erosion, rain gardens, pollinator gardens and more. Many of their selections are appropriate for Maine’s climate.

F oreside C ommon L andscape C ommittee

R eferences

Woodard, Colin. “Big Changes Are Occurring in One of the Fastest-warming Spots on Earth - Portland Press Herald.” Press Herald. N.p., 04 Feb. 2016. Web. 23 June 2017.

Resources

for the

US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “What is a living shoreline?”

NOAA’s National Ocean Service. N.p., 10 May 2016. Web. 23 June 2017.

P repared

“Heat Island Impacts.” EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 20 June 2017. Web. 23 June 2017.

spring 2017

Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Maine Shoreland Zoning: A Handbook For Shoreland Owners.

Publication. N.P. , 2008. Print.

Falmouth, Maine

Gawler, Susan, and Andrew Cutko. Natural Lanscapes of Maine: A Guide to Natural Communities and Ecosystems. Augusta, ME: Maine Natural Areas Program, Maine Department of Conservation, 2010. Print.

Foreside Common M as t e r L a n d s c a p e P l a n

Fernandez, I.J., C.V. Schmitt, S.D. Birkel, E. Stancioff, A.J. Pershing, J.T. Kelley, J.A. Runge, G.L. Jacobson, and P.A. Mayewski. 2015. Maine’s Climate Future: 2015 Update. Orono, ME: University of Maine. 24pp.

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